Vacuum-pan



(No Model.)

J. H. DUNCAN.

VACUUM PAN.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN H. DUNCAN, OF SYRAOUSE, NEW YORK.

VACUUM-PAN.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 499,721, dated J' une 20, 1893. Application tiled May 31, 1892. Serial No. 434,931. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN H. DUNCAN, of Syracuse, in the county of Onondaga, in the State of New York, have invented new and useful Improvements in Vacuum-Pans, of which the following, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, is a full, clear, and exact description.

My invention relates to improvements in vacuum pans, and has for its object the production of a simple, practical, and efficient device particularly applicable for evaporatin g brine in the manufacture of salt; and to this end it consists, essentially, in a vacuum pan, asubstantially horizontal head within the pan formed with inlet and outlet chambers arranged one above the other and separated by a substantially horizontal partition, a series of heatingtubes extending upwardly from the head having their upper ends closed and their lower ends opening from the outlet chamber ot' the head, a series of pipes extending upwardly from the inlet chamber of the head having their upper ends discharging within said tubes and their lower ends opening from said inlet chamber and in connections for securing said heads in position,and for conveying the heating Huid to and from the heating tubes.

The invention furthermore consists in the detail construction and arrangement ot' the parts, all as hereinafter more particularly described and pointed out in the claims.

In describing this invention, reference is had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specitication, in which, like letters indicate corresponding parts in all the views.

Figure l is an enlarged elevation of one of the detached vacuum pans of my invention. Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional View, taken on line -2-2-, Fig. l. `Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view of the detached upper end of one of the heating tubes and the pipe discharging thereinto. Fig. 4 is a horizontal sectional view, taken on line L1-4", Fig. l, representing the lower end of the receiving chamber connected to the vacuum pan and the valve for the lower end of said chamber. Fig. 5 is a vertical sectional view partly broken away of a slightly modified form of a section of a vacuum pan and a horizontal heating head and its heating tubes, and Fig. 6 is a similar vert-ical sectional view of a further modilied form of my invention.

My vacu um pans -E-E-h are preferably formed of a central section -e-, upper and lower sections -e-e2, and upper and lower conical sections -c-elabove and below the sections -e-e2-. Within the pans -EE, as best seen at Fig. 2, are closed heating heads -F- preferably disposed in substantially horizontal planes and mounted upon shoulders -e5- projecting from the inner periphery of the lower edge of the section -e2-. The central head -F- is shown in section at Fig. 2, and it is there clearly illustrated that the same is provided with inlet and outlet chambers -F- F2- arranged one above the other and separated by an inter- Veni ng partition -F3.

hf represents a short pipe having one end expandedinto the end Wall -fof the head -F- and the other into the adjacent wall of the section -eL- for connecting the inlet chamber -F- of the head -F- with a chamber -E- in the wall of the vacuum pan into which discharge the heating pipes -a. The outer wall of this chamber -E- is provided with a removable plug -earranged opposite to the pipe or tube -f for permitting access thereto.

-f2- is an outlet pipe or tube corresponding to the pipe -fhaving one end expanded into the wall 3- of the head -F- and the other into the adjacent portion of the Wall ot` the section e2 for conducting the heating fluid from the outlet chamber F2- of the head -F- to a chamber -F.2- in the wall of the vacuum pan connected to the discharge pipes -a-. The wall of this chamber E2- is also provided with a plug e7- aligned with the pipes or tubes f2-- I preferably use a number of heads F- and a similar number of inlet pipes -fand outlet pipes L- and the chambers -E-E2- are formed with a corresponding number of plugs e6-e7.

-G- is a heating tube opening outwardly or upwardly from the head -F- and formed with one end -gclosed and the other -gexpanded into the top wall 4- of the head -H- isa pipe having its lower end secured l to a plug -hremovably mounted in the TOO partition -F3- and its other end extended upwardly in close proximity to the correspending end of the tube -G-, as best seen at Figs. 2 and 3.

-his a plug removably mounted in the bottom wall '5- of the head -F- directly beneath the plu g-h-for permitting removal of the plug -hand pipe -II- and the entrance of an expanding tool for securing the tube -G in position.

I have here shown a series of tubes -G and pipes -I'I-, and it will be understood that the number thereof is immaterial, and -that each of the other heads -F- is provided with corresponding tubes G and pipes -II-. In operation the heating fluid, discharged within the inlet chamber n-F-, passes upwardly through the pipes -I-I- .to the upper end of the tubes Gr-H, and thence downwardly through said tubes into the outlet chamber -F2 and into the chamber -E2- and pipe or iiue -C3-, as previously described.

-I-I-I-I are doors arranged in pairs on opposite sides of the vacuum pan for normally closed openings in the wall of the vacuum pan for permitting entrance of the heads -F, and, as preferably constructed, these doors are sufficiently high so that the tubes -G- and pipes -I-I- may be first secured in position as described, and the complete head and its tubes passed through said doors and then dropped into engagement with the shoulders e5e5-. The pipes 2 are then secured in position,` and the plugs -eG-cL- forced to their operative position,`

whereupon the vacuum pan is in condition for operation.

Should one of the heating tubes -G- leak at its lower end -gthe head to which said pipe is secured is readily removed through the doors II by withdrawing the plugs eL-e6- registered with the pipes 2f2-- secured to said head and by then cutting through said thin pipes 2-f2. The plugs -h-hand the pipe -I-I- are then readily removed, and the tube -G-- again expanded in position or replaced by a new one. This particular construction of vacuum pan is particularly practical, as the heating heads and their heating tubes are operatively secured together before insertion into the vacuum pan, and the heating tubes -G- and pipes -H- are so constructed and arranged that the hottest portion of the heating tubes is upward, so that the upper portion of the liquid within the vacuum pan is heated to the greatest extent. This is a very practical action, and is much more eiiicient than when the hottest vportion ofl the heating tubes is at its baseinstead of its top. Moreover, as the heating tubes are vertical, the liability of scale ,forming thereupon is reduced to a minimum, and consequently the action of the vacuum pan is more efficient, and its durability greatly increased.

To accelerate the evaporation of the brine or other liquid within the vacuum pan Iconnect a pipe -J- to the conical section e3- and to said pipe connect a suitable condenser or pump J-. Connected to the lower section e4-of the vacuum pan is a receiving chamber-K- having an upper valve -K- andalower valve -K2-- The valve -K-- permits the salt or other substance evaporated from the brine or otherliquid within the vacuum pan, to feedinto the chamber -K- and the lower valve -K2- permits the withdrawal of the salt or other substance from the chamber -K-. The valve -K2- is preferably formed of a plate -k having a yielding convex face -7cadapted to impinge' against a sharp edge 7r,2-M 'surrounding the outlet opening of the chamber -K-. The plate -fkis carried in a U-shaped bracket k3-, which passes through guides -c4- projecting from opposite walls of the lower end of the chamber K, and is reciprocated by a screw 705- or other clamping device. The screw -7c5 is, as best seen at Fig. 5, formed with a hand engaging face -ciand with a screw threaded shank 407- passed through an opening -r,8 in the yoke -c3-. The opposite or outer end of the screw shank -tf-bears against a suitable shoulder 769- `on t-he outlet chamber -K, and, as the screw 705- is revolved, the yoke is drawn backward or forward, andthe yielding face 7c-- of the valve --K2- drawn toward or away from the edge -c2-. The threads on the screw *165- are of great pitch in order that the movement of the valve plate --kmay be rapid, and by this impingement of ayielding plate upon a sharp edge I form an absolutely tight joint, which is very essential in a valve of this character, since there is great liability of` particles of salt lodging in the -working parts of a valve and preventing its perfect operation. As this valve forms no part of my present invention, it is unnecessary to further illustrate or describe the same.

To permit inspection of the operation of the vacuum pan -E and the receiving chamber -K- I provide at intervals suitable glasses -L-, which may be of any desirable construction.

At Fig. 5 I have shown asomewhat modified form of lower section -czof a vacuum pan -E- and horizontal head -F-, which is particularly applicable when desired to construct my vacuum pan, so that th'e heads may be readily removable at will. In this construction I form a valve seat -fin the wall -fsof the head -F and form a corresponding valve seat 98 in the adjacent wall of the section -e-2-. Between these valve seats I interpose a valve -M- having conical extremities, whereby the valve automatically adjusts itself as the wall 3- of the head is forced toward the adjacent wall of the section. To effect this lengthwise movement of the head I use a bolt -N- having its head bearing against a shoulder 7- on the wall -f of the head I1`- and its IIO shank engaged with a nut -abearing against the adjacent wall of the vacuum pan section -e2-- With this constructionl prefer to removably secure the inlet pipe 8- to the wall -fand to extend the same beyond the wall of the vacuum pan section. I also prefer to use an automatic valve O- for closing the opening -eL- leading from the valve -esthrough the wall of the section -ezinto the outlet chamber -E2 of said section. This valve is forced against its seat -610- by a suitable spring ,O- bearing against an adjustable plug O2-3 and is automatically closed when the pressure within the head -F- is insufficient to force the valve outward against the action of the spring -O-. Connected to the chamber -EL- is a suitable outlet pipe -E3-.

At Fig. G I have shown a further modified form of my invention in which I dispense with the outlet chamber -E2 and connect a separate outlet pipe -P- to the outlet pipe 2- ot each of the sections.

It will be readily apparent that, hot air, gases and steam or other heated circulating fluid may be passed through the heads -F- and heating tubes of my invention for effecting its operation.

The operation of myinvention will be readily perceived from the foregoing description and upon reference to the drawings, and it will be particularly noted that the same is practical and effective in operation, and durable in use. It will also be evident that the detail construction and arrangement of the parts of my improved vacuum pan may be somewhat varied from the exact construction shown and described without departing from the spirit of my invention; hence I do not herein specifically limit myself to such exact construction and arrangement.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new7 and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

l. The combination with avacuum pan having doors in its upright wall for permitting access to the interior of the vacuum pan and a closed head removably supported within the pan and formed with inlet and outlet chambers arranged one above the other and with a' partition interposed between said chamber; of a tube extending outwardly from the head having its outer end closed and its opposite end opening from the outlet chamber of the head, and a pipe extending outwardly from the inlet chamber of the head having its outer end discharging within said tube and its other end opening from said inlet chamber, substantially as described.

2. The combination with a vacuum pan having oppositely arranged openings, for the inlet and outlet of a heating agent a horizontal closed head formed separable from the vacuum pan and removably supported within said vacuum pan between said openings and formed with inlet and outlet chambers arranged one above the other and with a partition interposed between said chambers and tubes having their inner ends opening from the opposite ends of the heads and having their outer ends connected with said openings in the vacuum pan; of a tube extending upwardly above the head and having its upper end closed and its lower end opening from the outlet chamber of the head, and a pipe extending upwardly from theinlet chamber of the head and having its upper end open and arranged within said tube for discharging thereint'o, and its opposite end opening from said inlet chamber, substantially as specified.

3. The combination with a vacuumpan having a normally closed outlet opening in its side wall, a horizontal head formed separable from the vacuum pan and removably supported within the vacuum pan and formed with inlet and outlet chambers; of a tube extending upwardly above the head and having its upper end closed and its lower end opening from the outlet chamber of the head, a pipe extending upwardly from the inlet chamber of the head and having its upper end open and arranged within said tube for discharging thereinto and its opposite end opening from said inlet chamber, a removable, plug secured to the lower end of the pipe for securing the same in position, and a second removable plug in the wall of said head opposite to the former plug, substantially as described. p

4. The combination with a vacuum pan having a normally closed outlet opening in its side wall; of a substantially horizontal closed head supported within the pan and formed with an upper and a lower chamber separated by an intervening substantially horizontal partition in the head, an upwardly extending tube opening from the upper chamber of said head having its lower end rigidly secured in the upper Wall of the head and its upper end closed, said tube being of less length than the length of said opening in the wall of the vacuum pau and an upwardly extending pipe opening from the lower chamber of the head having one end supported by the partition and the other extending within the tube to a point in close proximity to its upper end, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

5. The combination with a vacuum pan having a normally closed outlet opening in its IIO IZO

side wall; of a substantially horizontal closed head formed separable from the vacuum pan and supported within the pan and provided with an upperand a lower chamber separated by an intervening substantially horizontal partition in the head, tubes having their ends opening from the opposite ends of the head and having their outer ends discharging through the wall of the pan, a series of upwardly extending tubes opening at intervals from the upper chamber of said head having their lower ends rigidly secured in the upper wall of the head and their upper ends closed, a series of removable plugs in the partition beneath said tubes, a series of upwardly extendand removable plugs in the lower wall of the head beneath the former plugs, substantially as described.

vacuum pan and their inner'ends secured to the end walls of said heads for discharging a heated fluid into the inlet chamber andwithdrawing the same from the outlet chamber; of a tube extending-outwardly from the head having its outer end closed and its opposi-te `end opening from the outlet'chamber of `the head, and a pipe extending outwardly from the inlet chamberof the head having its outer 'j end discharging within said tube and its other end opening from 4said inlet chamber, surbstantially as and for the purpose described.

7. The combination wit-h avacu um pan hav- 1 ing a normally closed opening in its side wall, a series of heads removablysecured within the pan, each being, formed with inlet and" outlet chambers and with an interveningtpartition, and .having its end walls adjacent to opposite portions of said side-wall, a series of inlet pipes of less diameter than the heads permanently fixed to the wall of the vacuum pan arrd to the adjacent end walls of the inlet chambers ofthe heads, and a series of outlet pipes of less diameter than the heads permanently iixed to the wall of the vacuum pan f and to the adjacent walls of the outlet chambers of said heads; of a tube extending outwardly from the head, having its outer end closed and its opposite end opening from the outlet chamber of the head, and a pipe extending outwardly from the inlet chamber of the head having its outer end discharging' within said tube and its other end opening from said inlet chamber, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

8. The combination with a vacuum pan l formed with a normally closed opening in its side wall and with a substantially horizontal conduit in its side wall, a series of heads re- E movably secured within the pan, each being formed with inlet and outlet chambers andy with an intervening partition, and having its end walls adjacent to opposite portions of said sidewall, a series of inlet pipes of less diameter than the heads permanently fixed to the wall of the vacuum pan and opening at intervals into said conduit and opening Hummm Hm qiqmmr walls nf' the inlet. chamless diameter than the heads permanently iixed to the wall of the vacuum pan and to the adjacent walls of the outlet chambers of said heads; of a series of heating tubes extending outwardly from the heads and having their outer ends closed and their opposite ends connected with said heads, said tubes l being of less length than the length of said 6. The combination with a vacuum pan hav- 1 ing a normally closed opening in its side wall, a closed head formed separable from the vac' uum pan and supported within said pan formed with inlet and outlet chambers and having its end walls adjacent to opposite portions of said side -wall and a'pair of pipes havf ing their outer ends secured to and discharg-I ing through said portionsof-the wall-ofsaid opening in the side wall of the vacuum pan, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

9. The combination with a vacuum pan, a series of heads formed separable from the Vacuum pan and supported within said pan, each being formed with inlet and outlet chambers, a series of inlet pipes permanently fixed to the wall of the vacuum pan and'to the adjacent end walls of the inlet chambers of the heads, a series of outlet pipes permanently fixed to the wall of the vacuum pan and to the adjacent walls of the outlet chambers of said lheads, a conduit or chamber Vin 'the wall of the vacuum pan for discharging into said inlet pipes, an inlet pipe for said conduit or chamber, a-nd a plug in the'wall of the con- -duit for permitting access to the inlet pipes;

of tubes-extending outwardly from the heads having their outer ends closed and their opposite ends opening from the outlet chambers of the heads, and pipes extending outwardly from the inlet chambers ofthe heads having their outer ends discharging within said tubes and their other ends opening from said inlet chambers,-substantially as described.

10. The combinationwith avacuum pan, a series of heads formed separable from the vac- Ynum pan and supported within said pan with theirend walls separated from the adjacent walls of the vacuum pan each being formed with inlet and outlet chambers, a series of inlet pipes permanently fixed to the wall of the vacuum pan and tothe adjacent end walls of the inlet chambers of the heads, a series of outlet pipes permanently iixed to the wallof the vacuum pan and to the adjacent end walls of the outlet chambers of said heads, a conduit or chamber in the upright wall of the vacuum pan for receiving the discharge from the outlet pipes, and an outlet pipe connected to said chamber; of tubes extending outwardly from the heads having their outer ends closed and their opposite ends opening from the outlet chambers of the heads, and pipes extending outwardly from 'the inlet chambers of the heads having their outer ends discharging within said tubes and their other ends opening from said inlet chambers, substantially as specified.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto signed my name, in the presence of two attesting witnesses, at Syracuse, in the county of Onondaga, in the State of New York, this 27th day of May, 1892.

JOI-IN H. DUNCAN.

Witnesses:

CLARK H. NORTON. 

